MediaSpike taps into product-placement demand in social games

MediaSpike says its ad business now reaches 20 million gamers a month -- up from 1 million in June -- with its service to place real advertisements in virtual worlds. The product-placement company is behind such marketing efforts as trucks with Geico Powersports signage cruising through video games, including Tetris Online, Big Blue Bubble and Meez. Founder Blake Commagere sees the method as an alternative to "banner blindness," wherein gamers tune out traditional ad formats.